Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue in TiO2 aqueous suspensions using microwave powered electrodeless discharge lamps

Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) in TiO2 aqueous suspensions using microwave (MW) powered electrodeless discharge lamps (EDLs) was studied. MB of initial concentration 100 mg/l was mainly decomposed in the process of photocatalytic degradation using EDLs (PCD/EDLs) after 15 min of irradiation. The corresponding mineralization efficiency was 45%. The influence of factors as EDLs, solution volume and TiO2 catalyst dosage on the decomposition of MB in the PCD/EDLs process was also investigated. The optimal decomposition efficiency was observed when EDLs-4 (four 10 mm × 50 mm EDLs), solution volume of 50 ml and TiO2 catalyst dosage of 1-4 g/l were used in the study. The PCD/EDLs process was promising in treating MB polluted water.